Estimated number of new cases of breast cancer diagnosed in 2019

Estimated % of all new cancer cases diagnosed in 2019

Estimated number of deaths from breast cancer in 2019

Estimated % of all deaths from cancer in 2019

6.2%

Chance of surviving at least 5 years (2011–2015)

91%

People living with breast cancer at the end of 2014 (diagnosed in the 5 year period 2010 to 2014)

71,943

New cases

In 2015, breast cancer was the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia and also the most commonly diagnosed cancer in females. It is estimated that it will become the most commonly diagnosed cancer in 2019 among both persons and females. This is because the incidence of prostate cancer (which was the most commonly diagnosed cancer in 2015) is expected to be lower than that of breast cancer in 2019.

In 2015, there were 17,004 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed in Australia (152 males and 16,852 females). In 2019, it is estimated that 19,535 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in Australia (164 males and 19,371 females). In 2019, it is estimated that the risk of an individual being diagnosed with breast cancer by their 85th birthday will be 1 in 7 (1 in 675 males and 1 in 7 females).

In 2015, the age-standardised incidence rate was 65 cases per 100,000 persons (1.2 for males and 124 for females). In 2019, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will be 68 cases per 100,000 persons (1.1 for males and 131 for females). The incidence rate for breast cancer is expected to generally increase with age for both males and females, peaking at age group 70-74 for females.

The number of new cases of breast cancer diagnosed increased from 5,374 in 1982 (61 males and 5,313 females) to 17,004 in 2015. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate increased from 44 cases per 100,000 persons (1.2 for males and 81 for females) in 1982 to 65 cases per 100,000 persons in 2015.

Deaths

In 2016, breast cancer was the fourth leading cause of cancer death in Australia and also the second most common cause of death from cancer among females. In 2019, it is estimated that it will remain the fourth most common cause of death from cancer and the second most common cause of death from cancer among females.

In 2016, there were 3,004 deaths from breast cancer in Australia (28 males and 2,976 females). In 2019, it is estimated that this will increase to 3,090 deaths (32 males and 3,058 females). In 2019, it is estimated that the risk of an individual dying from breast cancer by their 85th birthday will be 1 in 82 (1 in 3,455 males and 1 in 43 females).

In 2016, the age-standardised mortality rate was 11 deaths per 100,000 persons (0.2 for males and 20 for females). In 2019, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 10 deaths per 100,000 persons (0.2 for males and 19 for females). The mortality rate for breast cancer is expected to increase with age for females, and be higher among males aged 70 years or over.

The number of deaths from breast cancer increased from 1,435 (19 males and 1,416 females) in 1968 to 3,004 in 2016. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate decreased from 17 deaths per 100,000 persons (0.5 for males and 30 for females) in 1968 to 11 deaths per 100,000 persons in 2016.

Survival

In 2011–2015, individuals diagnosed with breast cancer had a 91% chance (85% for males and 91% for females) of surviving for five years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population. Between 1985–1989 and 2011–2015, five-year relative survival from breast cancer improved from 74% to 91%.

Prevalence

At the end of 2014, there were 16,753 people living who had been diagnosed with breast cancer that year, 71,943 people living who had been diagnosed with breast cancer in the previous 5 years (from 2010 to 2014) and 213,596 people living who had been diagnosed with breast cancer in the previous 33 years (from 1982 to 2014).

The National Cancer Control Indicators (NCCI) are a set of indicators across the continuum of cancer care, from Prevention and Screening through to Diagnosis, Treatment, Psychosocial care, Research and Outcomes. The NCCI website allows users to see visual representations of data on each indicator through interactive charts.